Game 40: CHI 5 NYR 2, Same issues on display again/ Kreider injury update (rangers)

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Game 40: CHI 5 NYR 2, Same issues on display again/ Kreider injury update

By Jan Levine

Jan 5, 2018 • 2:26 pm

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When it was announced about a week ago Chris Kreider would be sidelined due to a blood clot, one key question that came up was would he require surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. More information was revealed today about the next step in his recovery, and while it was not specifically classified as TOS, the operation Kreider will undergo is basically for the same purpose. In a rib resection, all or part of the first rib is removed to reduce pressure that can cause dangerous blood clots.

Beyond the surgery, Kreider will likely need to be on blood thinners for a period of time. The combination of the operation and the blood thinners treating the clot will keep Kreider out indefinitely. When Steven Stamkos had his operation, for Vascular Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, which was also sidelined Andrej Vasilevskiy, he was out from April 6 to May 26. Each person heals differently, and in this case, CK20 is having a rib resected, which appears different from what the surgeries Stamkos and Vasilevskiy underwent.

In addition, this could hasten a sell-off or a buying spree. The next few weeks will tell. If GM Jeff Gorton believes that the team is one or two pieces away - another forward or center and shut-down d-man, maybe he is aggressive in acquiring one or both. If not, then a Rick Nash etc. could go, though that is likely down the road. Cap room is not an issue and if CK20 will miss 2-3 months, then he will be placed on LTIR freeing up more room to be utilized.

Chicago game analysis: The Rangers were outclassed, outplayed and outhustled - not to mention widely outshot and attempted - Wednesday in a 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks. As per usual, Henrik Lundqvist kept New York in the contest, but it wasn't enough to defeat Chicago. The same problems that have plagued the Blueshirts for several weeks, if not longer, were on full display again Wednesday. I am not posting the player or coach's comments, as we have seen/heard these many times before. Stop saying it and fix it.

Game recap:

I know most of you are not believers in advanced metrics. But you don't need to be to see the problems in the loss. However, the two graphs below pretty clearly show just how poorly New York played:

What's evident is that the Rangers' own zone coverage continues to mess. They were only really burned once last night on Vinnie Hinostroza's goal that gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead at 16:09 of the first period. On the play, Hinostroza's took a through-the-legs, backhanded pass from Jonathan Toews in front for his second goal of the season, but he was wide open in front to get the pass and score, beating Ryan McDonagh. While that was the only tally like that, there had to be at least a half-dozen if not more prime chances in the slot due to a lack of coverage in front, as seen in the graph above.

The argument of system or players or players or system is one we have had many, many times. Coach Alain Vigneault wants to play a high-tempo game with D leading to O. But if your D or your forwards fail to cover, partially due to the players and partially due to the system of double-teaming behind the net and expecting proper rotations or winning the 2-on-1 battles, avoiding open spaces, then you can't break out. Then the coach has to adjust, which I know has been another bone of contention since he arrived, the inability to adjust properly, especially in-game.

Games like Wednesday or the one against Dallas or any of those from the past several weeks drive us as fans crazy. Because we wonder if we can see the issues, how come the coaches or players can't find a way to fix it. Therefore, it's either the coaches are no good or it's the players or both. The defense, which we thought was to have been improved, has not been anything close to it. In fact, somehow it's regressed compared to what we have seen. That regression mainly goes top to bottom. Other than Brady Skjei and to me, Marc Staal, who despite a poor game yesterday has been pretty good this year, no one has distinguished themselves positively. But. it's also unfair to solely blame the defense for the ills there, as the forward have also done little to remediate and rectify the own zone problems.

As mentioned in the blog, I believe by Vin, the issues on this team are manifold above and beyond what I noted above. Shot suppression has been anything of the sort, as the team continues to bleed in that regard night after night. The number of 40-shot games and shots faced overall, especially from high-danger areas, has unfortunately been a hallmark of this team. Part of the lack of shot suppression also results from poor puck possession, leading to more shots by the opposition, and turnovers either in the neutral zone or near the blue line, creating breakout chances and scoring opportunities against.

The power play has cratered of late. One goal in six chances Wednesday, with the only tally on the 5-on-3, is not acceptable. Overall, 2-for-24 on the man-advantage in the past seven games. During part of the earlier hot streak, the PP carried the team, masking the issues. Now, without it, the team really can't score consistently. I would love to see more of what Skjei did yesterday, het the puck and go to the net. Don't always buttonhook or peel back waiting for a teammate. On the PP, teams are stacking the neutral zone. Lightly chip the puck to the far side outside the trapezoid, then forecheck and obtain possession. If you get into the zone, maintain possession, then go high-low, allowing for the set up and motion to create open slots and angles. Here is an idea, which is one we have discussed before, use Michael Grabner, whose speed will at least make defenses honest and should allow better zone entries.

AV is searching to try and find combinations that work. Other than the fourth line, who has provided consistent production and/or effort? Now, I liked the Grabner-Hayes-Miller line but they didn't last long. Yesterday, we briefly saw Zib and Buch back together again, maybe they should be restored as a duo, joined by Miller or Zucc or Nash. If going with Miller, then have Grabner-Hayes-Zucc with Nash-Desh-Vesey. (post-script: I just Larry Brooks proposed moving Nieves up and Desh down, but why mess with success on the fourth line. In addition, Nash and Grabner could swap spots). What also could happen is Lettieri gets another shot. Because if you are going to send a message, really send one. Scratch one of the big boys and play Lettieri, because you know you will get an honest effort from him. If that happens, Desh could be scratched with Letteri on the third or fourth line as a center or winger, depending on if Carey or Nieves move.

(Update: Lines in Friday's practice: JT Miller, Mika Zibanejad, Pavel Buchnevich Michael Grabner, Kevin Hayes, Mats Zuccarello Jimmy Vesey, David Desharnais, Rick Nash Paul Carey, Boo Nieves, Jesper Fast)

Do the same on D, where Brendan Smith was horrific Wednesday. He or honestly any of the d-men could be scratched for Steven Kampfer. Play Kampfer with Mcd, why not, no one else has worked out there and drop Holden down.

While New York likely would have lost anyway, how the second goal of the game wasn't overturned is beyond me. Either a penalty should have been called or per Rule 75 (xi), the goal shouldn't have counted. It sure looked like Staal was cross-checked into the net, knocking it off its moorings, either allowing the puck to cross the goal line or him pushing the puck into the net.

Rule book - second goal:

World Juniors: Lias Andersson scored his tournament-leading sixth goal of the WJC helping Sweden beat the US 4-2 and advance to the finals. A pair of shorthanded goals along with one on the PP gave Sweden a 4-0 lead. The US scored twice in the third and had a late PP, but couldn't convert.

Corey Pronman on Andersson: “He's a warrior,… said one NHL scout when talking about Andersson. I have my questions about his upside as a prospect from watching him all season and at this tournament, but he showed some nice things here. He wins a lot of battles, has good IQ and decent hands, and despite playing hurt, he fought his way to being a useful player.…

Canada blew out the Czech Republic 7-2 in the other semi-final as Drake Batherson notched a hat trick. Filip Chytil had a very quiet game with both Czech goals scored by possible top-5 pick Filip Zadina. Canada faces Sweden in the finals today.

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